Best Hybrid SUVs for 2022
Although electric vehicles have gained a lot of popularity in the past few years, some drivers are still not yet ready to make the shift to fully electrified vehicles. This is where hybrid vehicles come into play. Hybrid vehicles offer the best of both worlds by combining electric motors with an internal combustion engine to give drivers the ability to use electric power without the fear of getting stranded due to a battery running out of power.
Hybrid vehicles generally tend to have enough electric range to cover urban driving needs, while the internal combustion engine takes over on longer journeys. This combination works well because internal combustion engines are not very efficient during short trips in urban areas, where electric propulsion is.
New hybrid models offer an extended electric-only range, and improvements in battery technology have led them to be more affordable. If you are looking for a car that combines the best of both worlds, here are the best hybrid SUVs on the market today:
Lexus NX 450h+ F SPORT
BMW X5 xDrive45e
Volvo XC40 T4
Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDi HEV Premium
Range Rover Evoque P300e
Ford Kuga 2.5 PHEV
Kia Sorento 1.6 T-GDi HEV
Volvo XC90 Recharge T8
BMW X3 xDrive30e
Honda CR-V 2.0 i-MMD Hybrid
Lexus NX 450h+ F SPORT
The Lexus NX 450h+ F SPORT combines strikingly good looks with state-of-the-art technology, boasting a generous electric-only driving range to give drivers one of the best hybrid SUV experiences available today. The vehicle combines an electric powertrain with a 2.5-litre petrol engine that can take over from the electric system when needed. Driving the car is a smooth and all-around refined driving experience, and the hybrid SUV’s excellent handling inspires confidence. The interior is not only premium but also offers enough space for passengers and their carry-on gear. All of this, combined with Lexus’s unimpeachable reliability record, makes the NX 450h+ F SPORT one of the best hybrid SUVs today.
BMW X5 xDrive45e
The petrol and diesel versions of the BMW X5 have been popular SUVs for many years, with good reason. The X5 range is renowned for its ability to combine luxurious BMW interiors with sporty handling and limited off-road capability. The same is true for the BMW X5 xDrive45e, which combines a petrol engine with an electric powertrain. Since the X5 is a large car, you would expect that it might not have much of an electric range.
However, the big SUV does offer a decent electric-only range. The car’s electric range is more than enough to complete your daily errands in and around town, and for longer trips, the smooth BMW petrol engine can take over propulsion duties. The X5 is also equipped with the latest gadgets, including a powerful and user-friendly infotainment system that provides all the functions drivers could ask for.
Volvo XC40 T4
The Volvo XC40 T4 does a marvellous job combining electric with internal combustion power. This car is designed with efficiency in mind, and this SUV is a good choice for any buyer who is particularly conscious about fuel consumption. The Volvo XC40 T4 is equally at home on city streets and country roads, but the smaller footprint of this SUV makes it ideal for people that need a compact SUV for urban environments, where space is often limited.
The Volvo is available in a few different incarnations, but one of the best options is the PHEV version that combines an electric drivetrain with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. In the cabin, drivers can look forward to a large-screened infotainment system that provides all the essential information a driver could need, plus comfortable seats and high-quality soft-touch plastics.
Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDi Premium
The Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDi Premium is firmly rooted in the large family SUV category, and it can comfortably carry up to seven passengers and their luggage. The Hyundai comes as a standard self-charging hybrid electric vehicle or a PHEV, giving drivers the freedom to choose the model that works best for their needs.
The normal hybrid version combines a self-charging electric drivetrain with a diesel internal combustion engine, and it can cover a decent distance in electric-only mode. However, the plugin version allows for more electric range and comes with a frugal diesel engine that can take over propulsion duties once the electric range has been depleted.
The Hyundai Santa Fe offers many of the benefits that larger and more expensive brands offer but at a lower price point, making the vehicle an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Range Rover Evoque P300e
The Range Rover Evoque has been a firm favourite amongst many since it was first introduced, and the new generation of the model is set to continue this legacy. The Evoque P300e combines the familiar characteristics of the internal combustion engine models with the environmental and economical benefits of hybrid SUV models. The P300e has a decent electric range that makes it perfect for in-town use, and it offers more than enough power to satisfy the needs of a small hybrid SUV driver.
The interior is treated in typical Range Rover fashion, lavishly appointed with all the essential and optional items you could wish for. The car can easily cover the average driver’s daily commute with its electric drivetrain, meaning the petrol engine is only needed for longer journeys.
Ford Kuga 2.5 PHEV
The Ford Kuga is one of the trendiest hybrid SUVs on the market. The car not only looks good, but it also packs a punch when it comes to technology and comfort. The Kuga offers a generous electric-only range, making it possible to use the car in electric-only mode for most of your daily commute in and around town. The roomy interior has more than enough space for up to five adults, and there is also sufficient luggage space in the boot.
Since the Kuga is equipped with a 2.5-litre petrol engine, there is enough punch for most drivers, but the car is also quite economical to drive. All in all, the Ford Kuga offers a well-rounded package that is well worth considering when looking for your next hybrid SUV.
Kia Sorento 1.6 T-GDi HEV
The Sorento is one of Kia’s best hybrid SUV models, balancing affordability with fuel economy and comes in an aesthetically pleasing package. The SUV offers a generous electric-only range, thanks to the larger than average battery pack found under the floorboards. The Kia Sorento is a particularly comfortable family-sized SUV that offers an elevated driving position, comfortable suspension and accurate steering. In addition to all of these features, the car also comes with Kia’s unmatched seven-year warranty for ultimate peace of mind.
The Sorento’s interior is well-appointed, and all the most important features are accounted for. In the areas where you can touch the dash and door panels, soft-touch plastics are used to make sure the cabin feels luxurious and plush.
Volvo XC90 Recharge T8
This large family hybrid SUV is the jewel in Volvo's crown. The car is flawlessly designed to offer an excellent driving experience combined with Volvo's legendary safety and an excellently designed interior. The Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offers one of the best electric-only ranges in its class, and it can easily cover the daily needs of most drivers.
Once the XC90's electric range has been depleted, the vehicle seamlessly switches to its petrol engine so that you can continue your journey without worrying about where the closest charging point is. The XC90 is a big hybrid SUV that offers enough room for families and their luggage, and the car is equipped with all the latest electronic aids and gadgets you'll need for a comfortable journey.
Benefits of buying the best hybrid SUV
Hybrid SUVs combine the best of both worlds and offer economical driving, less environmental damage and better performance. Some advantages of investing in a hybrid SUV include:
Economy: Hybrid SUVs are much more economical to drive than traditional petrol or diesel-powered SUVs. Although they offer better fuel economy, there is no reduction in their performance and handling. In addition, hybrid SUVs are very quiet when operating in electric mode, which is great when driving in busy urban areas.
Reduced pollution: Hybrid SUVs emit fewer toxic gasses than traditional SUVs because of their ability to operate without an internal combustion engine for at least part of every journey. They are excellent for the environment, which is already under stress because of the high levels of greenhouse gases released by conventional vehicles.
Improved acceleration: Hybrid SUVs offer lightning-quick acceleration due to the electric part of their drivetrain. Electric vehicles are usually faster than conventional vehicles from a standstill because of their higher torque output, and this is also true for hybrid SUVs, which makes them fun to drive.
Conclusion on Best Hybrid SUVs
Hybrid SUVs are a great option for drivers who prefer the predictability and familiarity of petrol or diesel-powered SUVs combined with the economical and ecological advantages of EVs. Aside from the additional economy these vehicles provide, they also offer space, comfort and safety, which makes them ideal people carriers. If you are in the market for an SUV and are not yet ready to switch to a fully electric model, a hybrid SUV might be the best choice.
